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New nonprofit supports DNR moose research

A new nonprofit organization hopes to help save Minnesota's moose population.

The group's founder, Robin Johnson, lives in Eden Prairie and owns Sweet Retreat, a bakery in Minneapolis. She planned to donate $1 to moose research for every cupcake she sells in the shop on Saturday, saying she hoped to raise up to $2,000.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced earlier this week that the state's moose population has dropped by more than a third in just the past year. DNR researchers are trying to find out why.

Johnson said she hopes other Minnesotans will join her cause.

"The moose is iconic to Minnesota, and anybody, whether you're a Boundary Waters lover, nature lover or even a hunter, no one wants to see our moose population go extinct," Johnson said.

Johnson said that money collected at the bakery and at SaveMinnesotaMoose.org will go to the DNR's efforts to put GPS collars on about 150 adult moose and their young. The DNR plans to track the animals over a period of several years.

She explained her motivation to support the DNR's research:

"I looked to see if anyone was doing anything to help raise money. There was no organization like a Ducks Unlimited or Pheasants Forever, and I decided, well, why not me? I'm just going to start something and see if I can help the DNR, provide more money for their research and equipment."